Method for determining relative ranking data in a broker mediated geospatial information service environment

ABSTRACT

A method for determining a value indicator in a broker-mediated geospatial information service environment includes receiving feedback data at a first system of the broker-mediated geospatial information service environment. In particular, the feedback data is received from a plurality of respondents, and relates to a broker-mediated geospatial information service provided to each respondent of the plurality of respondents. Furthermore, each respondent of the plurality of respondents is a prior requestor of a process-dataset solution for performing the broker-mediated geospatial information service. Based on the feedback data, a value indicator relating to the process-dataset solution is determined.

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 12/155,578 filed on Jun.6, 2008. Ser. No. 12/155,578 claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/929,114 filed on Jun. 13, 2007, the entire content ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention relates generally to searching, and moreparticularly to searching and retrieval of information having ageospatial component.

BACKGROUND

Geospatial is a term that is used widely to describe the combination ofspatial software and analytical methods with terrestrial or geographicdatasets. Geospatial data identifies the geographic location andcharacteristics of natural or constructed features and boundaries on theearth. This information is gathered from remote sensing, mapping,surveying and other technologies. Geospatial systems capture, store,manage, integrate, display, analyze and otherwise assist in theinterpretation of this data in its entire context for betterdecision-making. A geographic location optionally is represented as apoint, line, area or volume, and optionally is represented in eithertwo-dimensions or three-dimensions.

Unfortunately, experts in data collection are typically separate anddistinct from experts in data processing. In data collection, maps andother spatial information are combined to form a larger spatial dataset.For example, addresses are superimposed on a map or two maps are coupledto form a larger map. This data is then stored in a structure that issuitable for processing thereof. Once a dataset is formed, it becomesavailable for analysis. Experts in geographic data analysis developprocesses that are designed to operate with the data structure toextract from the dataset “useful” information. For each problem that isencountered, an expert is consulted to design a process that allows theproblem to be better analysed, avoided, or solved. Since the process isdesigned for a given dataset and for solving a given solution, theprocess designer can ensure that the process functions withinspecifications and, once designed, the process can be executed on thedataset in a repeatable fashion.

As is true of information in general, the volume of available geographicdata is expanding continuously, thereby providing process developerswith new opportunities to develop improved processes that enabledecision makers to make better and more informed decisions. That said,most process developers are well versed in specific datasets therebylimiting the available datasets for their processes. Furthermore, manyorganisations already have access to specific datasets, and as such,tend only to work with process developers that are already versed inprocessing those datasets. Despite this tendency, some processes areexecutable on datasets other than the ones for which the process wasdeveloped initially. In some cases, the same process may yield differentgeospatial information depending on the dataset that is being analyzed.That is to say, the geospatial information may be biased in some way asa result of the way each dataset was created, such as for instanceeither during collection of the geographic data itself or in the way thestructure of the dataset was defined. Similarly, different processesexecuted on the same dataset may yield different geospatial informationdepending upon the particular bias that is built into each differentprocess.

Currently, there is not a reliable method for evaluating a ranking ofgeospatial processes and datasets. In effect, a process developer isselected and employed for processing a particular dataset or forprocessing a convenient dataset. In either case, a “best” result may notensue.

It would be beneficial to provide a method and system that solves atleast some of the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the instant invention there is provided amethod for determining a value indicator in a broker-mediated geospatialinformation service environment, comprising: receiving at a first systemof the broker-mediated geospatial information service environment, froma plurality of respondents, feedback data relating to a broker-mediatedgeospatial information service provided to each respondent of theplurality of respondents, each respondent of the plurality ofrespondents being a prior requestor of a process-dataset solution forperforming the broker-mediated geospatial information service; and,based on the feedback data, determining a value indicator relating tothe process-dataset solution.

According to another aspect of the instant invention there is provided amethod for determining a value indicator in a broker-mediated geospatialinformation service environment, comprising: for each of a plurality ofprocess-dataset solutions, evaluating usage data for determininginstances of repeat usage of a same process-dataset solution by a samerequestor of a plurality of requestors; ordering the process-datasetsolutions of the plurality of process-dataset solutions according to oneof a frequency of instances of repeat usage and a relative frequency ofinstances of repeat usage; and, determining a value indicator for aparticular process-dataset solution of the plurality of process-datasetsolutions based on the ordered position of the particularprocess-dataset solution.

According to another aspect of the instant invention there is provided amethod for determining a value indicator in a broker-mediated geospatialinformation service environment, comprising: evaluating usage datarelating to a plurality of process-dataset solutions, to determine afrequency of repeat usage for each of the plurality of process-datasetsolutions; and, determining a value indicator for a particularprocess-dataset solution of the plurality of process-dataset solutionsbased on the determined frequency of repeat usage for the particularprocess-dataset solution relative to the determined frequencies ofrepeat usage for other process dataset solutions of the plurality ofprocess dataset solutions.

According to another aspect of the instant invention there is provided amethod for determining a value indicator in a broker-mediated geospatialinformation service environment, comprising: evaluating usage datarelating to a plurality of process-dataset solutions, to determine afrequency of repeat usage for each of the plurality of process-datasetsolutions; and, determining a value indicator for a particularprocess-dataset solution of the plurality of process-dataset solutionsbased on the determined frequency of repeat usage for the particularprocess-dataset solution relative to the determined frequency of uniqueusage for the particular process dataset solution.

According to another aspect of the instant invention there is provided amethod for determining a value indicator in a broker-mediated geospatialinformation service environment, comprising: retrievably storingfeedback data from a plurality of respondents, the feedback datarelating to a broker-mediated geospatial information service providedpreviously to each respondent of the plurality of respondents, thefeedback data being stored in a manner such that the feedback dataprovided by a specific respondent is associated uniquely therewith, eachrespondent of the plurality of respondents being a prior requestor of aparticular process-dataset solution for performing the broker-mediatedgeospatial information service; receiving an indication of a firstrequest from a current requestor, the indication having the particularprocess-dataset solution; and, based on stored feedback data that isuniquely associated with at least some of the respondents of theplurality of respondents, determining a value indicator relating to theparticular process-dataset solution.

According to another aspect of the instant invention there is provided amethod for determining a value indicator in a broker-mediated geospatialinformation service environment, comprising: receiving at a first systemof the broker-mediated geospatial information service environment, froma plurality of respondents, feedback data relating to a broker-mediatedgeospatial information service provided to each respondent of theplurality of respondents; and, based on the feedback data, determining avalue indicator relating to one of a process and a dataset that isassociated with the broker-mediated geospatial information service.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the instant invention are now described with reference tothe figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of a broker-mediated geospatialinformation service environment, which is suitable for implementingmethods according to the various embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified flow diagram of a method according to anembodiment of the instant invention for providing a geospatialinformation service in a broker-mediated geospatial information serviceenvironment;

FIG. 3 is a simplified flow diagram of a method according to anembodiment of the instant invention for providing a geospatialinformation service in a broker-mediated geospatial information serviceenvironment;

FIG. 4 is a simplified flow diagram of a method according to anembodiment of the instant invention for providing a geospatialinformation service in a broker-mediated geospatial information serviceenvironment; and,

FIG. 5 is a simplified flow diagram of a method according to anembodiment of the instant invention for providing a geospatialinformation service in a broker-mediated geospatial information serviceenvironment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The following description is presented to enable a person skilled in theart to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of aparticular application and its requirements. Various modifications tothe disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied toother embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit andthe scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intendedto be limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is to be accorded thewidest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosedherein.

Throughout the detailed description and in the appended claims, thefollowing terms are to be accorded the following definitions:

Location—is defined as a position in space, where position may berepresented by a point, line, polygon, or volume in 3-dimensional space.

Requestor—is defined as either a human user of the broker mediatedgeospatial information service, or as a process in execution on a systemfor providing a service to a human user or to another system. Forexample, the process in execution comprises an agent having userpreferences provided thereto such that the agent searches for andengages geospatial information services on behalf of the human user.

Process—is defined as an implementation of a method for processing,filtering, combining, or searching geographic information within one ormore dataset. A process optionally includes several processes operatingon one or more dataset in parallel, in series, or in some other way.Though a dataset is typically a stored dataset, it is also optionally asecond dataset resulting from application of one or more processes to afirst dataset.

Search criteria—is defined as a set of parameters, rules and/or policiesthat is specified by a requestor in order to define a request forspecific geospatial information. By way of several specific andnon-limiting examples, the set of parameters optionally includes any ofthe following: the current location of the requestor, the destination ofthe requestor, a complete or partial itinerary of the requestor, aplanned travel route of the requestor, requestor preferences (i.e.profile data such as: the requestor likes to walk between itinerarypoints, the requestor likes to sleep/eat within a certain distance ofpublic transit stops, the requestor requires an eating establishmentthat caters to specific dietary requirements, the requestor enjoys livetheater, the requestor likes to shop at high-end jewelry boutiques, orany other profile data that may be specified in order to refine thesearching process). Other parameters and/or rules may be envisaged,depending upon the nature of the request, etc.

Geospatial information service—is defined as the processing of a datasetto obtain a result in accordance with the set of parameters and/or rulesas defined in the search criteria. The dataset comprises geospatialinformation, including location and characteristic data relating tonatural and constructed features. The act of performing the geospatialinformation service includes providing to the requestor the result soobtained. Different geospatial information services are considered toresult when the same process is executed on different datasets, or whendifferent processes are executed on the same dataset.

Process-dataset solution—is defined as a specific process and datasetgrouping, as determined by a geospatial information service broker, forperforming a requested geospatial information service. Depending on thegeospatial information service that is requested, plural process-datasetsolutions may be available. In the case of a simple geospatialinformation service, the process-dataset solution includes only aspecific process and a specific dataset. When executed on the specificdataset, the specific process returns a result in accordance with theset of parameters as defined in the search criteria. Optionally, theprocess-dataset solution includes plural processes for being executed onone or plural datasets. Further optionally, results of one processingstep are further processed using additional processes or are combinedwith additional datasets. Further optionally, the process-datasetsolution is provided in a step-wise fashion. For instance, thegeospatial information service broker provides initially a plurality ofavailable processes only. The requestor selects one process of theplurality of available processes, and is presented subsequently with alist of available datasets.

Value indicator—is defined as information that is provided to therequestor in association with the process-dataset solution. Inparticular, the value indicator relates to a ranking of theprocess-dataset solution, or alternatively to a ranking of individualcomponents of the process-dataset solution. The value indicatoroptionally is either qualitative or quantitative. The value indicatoroptionally is provided in the form of a numeric scale, an alphabeticscale, a symbol-based scale (e.g. happy face/neutral face/smiley face,thumbs-up/thumbs-down, a star-rating, pie-chart etc.), or in any otherform that can convey to the requestor the value of one process-datasetsolution relative to another process-dataset solution. Of course, sincethe requestor may be a process in execution on a system, the valueindicator need not even be provided in a human intelligible form.Furthermore, the value indicator may simply be implied based on theordering of the process-dataset solutions in a list.

Geospatial information service broker—is defined as a system that isdisposed between the requestor and a plurality of geospatial informationservice providers. The geospatial information service broker determinesa plurality of process-dataset solutions that relate to the searchcriteria as provided by the requestor. The geospatial informationservice broker also maintains a database of value indicators includingat least one value indicator that is stored in association with eachprocess-dataset solution, or with the component process and dataset ofeach process-dataset solution. Additionally, the geospatial informationservice broker provides to the requestor a list including at least someof the plurality of process-dataset solutions and at least one valueindicator associated with each process-dataset solution.

Geospatial information service provider—is defined as a system thatprovides for the implementation of a selected process-dataset solutionand then provides a result of the process-dataset solution to therequestor. Often the geospatial information service provider includes aprocessor for executing the process-dataset solution, but this need notbe the case. Optionally, the geospatial information service brokerincludes a geospatial information service provider.

Dataset provider—provider of a geospatial information dataset.

Process provider—a provider of a process for processing geospatialinformation datasets.

Advertising Provider—a provider that specifically provides advertisingservices for display to a consumer.

Aggregation server—a server of a broker-mediated geospatial informationservice environment for aggregating feedback data.

A broker mediated geospatial information service model is described in aco-pending application entitled “BROKER MEDIATED GEOSPATIAL INFORMATIONSERVICE” in the name of Darrell O'Donnell and filed on or about Jun. 6,2007 (attorney docket number 292-02 US PROV), the entire contents ofwhich are herein incorporated by reference. Therein, a requestorprovides search criteria for a geospatial information service and isprovided with a list of process-dataset solutions that are capable ofreturning geospatial information in accordance with the search criteria.The requestor then selects a process-dataset solution from the list, andfinally the specified service is performed based on that selection.Unfortunately, there is no way for the requestor to assess whichprocess-dataset solution is best suited for performing the geospatialinformation service in a way that meets their specific expectations atthat time. Accordingly, the requestor must either use a trial-and-errorapproach to determine which process-dataset solution best suits theirneeds, or simply choose one process-dataset solution and accept theresults as provided. Of course the trial-and-error approach is in somecases time consuming and may also result in excessive billing costs tothe requestor, whilst the arbitrary selection of only oneprocess-dataset solution may not provide the geospatial information therequestor needs in order to make the best decision.

Referring now to FIG. 1, shown is a simplified schematic diagram of abroker-mediated geospatial information service environment, which issuitable for implementing methods according to the various embodimentsof the instant invention. A broker system 100 includes a processing andcommunications module 102 that is in communication with a memory storagedevice 104. The processing and communications module 102 is also incommunication with a plurality of requestors 106 a through 106 d. Eachrequestor of the plurality of requestors is optionally a human user, aprocess in execution on a system of the human user for providing aservice to the human user or to another system, or a process inexecution on another processor. In each case, each requestor 106 athrough 106 d includes a not illustrated communications module forcommunicating with the broker system 100 and a not illustrated userinterface for providing data to and for receiving data from a humanuser. Optionally, the system of FIG. 1 includes plural broker systems,with each broker system being in communication with other broker systemsof the plurality. Further optionally, each requestor is in communicationwith more than one broker system of the plurality.

The processing and communications module 102 is further in communicationwith a plurality of other systems 108 a through 108 c. Each one of theother systems 108 a through 108 c is at least one of a dataset providerand a process provider, and includes a processing and communicationsmodule 110 a through 110 c that is in communication with a memorystorage device 112 a through 112 c, respectively. Each memory storagedevice 112 a through 112 c has stored thereon at least one of ageospatial information dataset and program code for, when in executionon a processor, processing a geospatial information dataset. Optionally,the program code that is stored in association with a particular one ofthe other systems is executed on a processing and communications moduleof the same system, or the program code is provided to a different oneof the other systems or to the broker system 100 for execution on aprocessing and communications module thereof. Further optionally, thevarious processing and communications modules are provided in the formof an integrated unit or in the form of at least two separate unitsincluding a communications unit and a processing unit. Though in thedescription above, each memory storage device comprises one of a processand a dataset, in practice a same storage device typically comprisesmany datasets, many processes, or both processes and datasets.Furthermore, if plural broker systems are included in the system then atleast some broker systems of the plurality are optionally incommunication with more than one of the other systems 108 a through 108c.

An aggregation server 114 optionally is provided, including a processingand communications module 116 and a memory storage device 118. Theaggregation server 114 is in communication with the broker system 100and/or with one or more of the requestors 106 a through 106 d.

Referring still to FIG. 1, any one of the requestors 106 a through 106 dinitiates a broker mediated geospatial information session by providinga request to the communications and processing module 102 of the brokersystem 100. The request includes search criteria for returninggeospatial information to the requestor. More particularly, the searchcriteria includes a set of parameters and/or rules that is specified bya requestor in order to define a request for specific geospatialinformation. By way of a specific and non-limiting example, a simplerequest requires an indication of a hotel that is within a predeterminedtravel distance of an itinerary point, as specified by the requestor. Adataset containing only basic information relating to the geographiclocation of features on the earth may be processed using a simpleprocess to return geospatial information in accordance with such asimple request. By way of another specific and non-limiting example, acomplex request requires a driving route definition for a three day tripbetween specified starting and stopping points, limited in that anindication of a hotel is required for each of two, one-night stopoversin different cities, each hotel being within two city blocks of avegetarian restaurant and within three city blocks of at least one of alive theater and a movie theater, and further limited in that thedriving route must provide for a rest stop during every three hours ofdriving time at a rest station or at a service station having cleanbathrooms, and must allow for lunch breaks along the route at arestaurant with a minimum three star rating. In order to returngeospatial information in accordance with such a complex request, adetailed dataset is required that includes data relating to thegeographic locations of features on the earth, as well as opinion andrating data that has been collected for facilities and/or services alongthe route. Furthermore, a sophisticated process is required to correlateand filter the dataset. Alternatively, plural datasets and/or pluralprocesses are required in order to return geospatial information inaccordance with the complex request. Of note, different processesrelying on different data or interpreting data differently will providefor different results that may be qualitatively of differing value,accuracy, and usefulness.

During use, the broker system 100 determines a plurality ofprocess-dataset solutions, each of which defines a geospatialinformation service that is capable of returning geospatial informationto the requestor in accordance with the search criteria of a particularrequest. The broker system 100 then provides a list comprising thedetermined plurality of process-dataset solutions, from which list therequestor chooses a particular process-dataset solution for obtaininggeospatial information in accordance with the provided search criteria.Unfortunately, there currently is no way for the requestor to assess inadvance which process-dataset solution of the plurality will provide thegeospatial information that is “best” suited for their particularrequirement at that particular time. Considering in turn each of the twoexamples that are presented supra, it will become apparent to one ofskill in the art that this is not a trivial problem.

In the case of the simple request, the broker system 100 determines thateach one of the other systems 108 a through 108 c has associatedtherewith a process and a dataset for inclusion in the list.Furthermore, the process associated with each one of the other systems108 a through 108 c may process the dataset associated with any of theother systems. Accordingly, in this example the list that is returnedfrom the broker system 100 to the requestor includes nine (9) distinctprocess-dataset solutions. Alternatively, in the case of the complexrequest, the broker system 100 determines a first process-datasetsolution in which the process of system 108 b processes the dataset ofsystem 108 c to create a first processed dataset, and the process ofsystem 108 a subsequently processes the first processed dataset toobtain the geospatial information in accordance with the searchcriteria. The broker system also determines a second process-datasetsolution in which the process of the system 108 a processes the datasetof the system 108 a to create a first processed dataset, in parallel theprocess of the system 108 b processes the dataset of the system 108 c tocreate a second processed dataset, then the first processed dataset iscombined with the second processed dataset to create a combinedprocessed dataset, and finally the process of the system 108 c processesthe combined processed dataset to obtain the geospatial information inaccordance with the search criteria. Although the list that is providedto the requestor in this case comprises only two (2) process-datasetsolutions, nevertheless the selection of one over the other is notobvious because the relationships between the different processes anddatasets is complex.

According to an embodiment of the instant invention, the list that isprovided from the broker system 100 to the requestor includes a valueindicator associated with each process-dataset solution in the list.Optionally, the value indicator is associated with a process-datasetsolution as a whole. Further optionally, the value indicator includes aplurality of different value indicators, each different value indicatorbeing associated with a component or with a group of components of theprocess-dataset solution. For instance, a first value indicator isassociated with the process component of a process-dataset solution anda second value indicator is associated with the dataset component of aprocess-dataset solution. In general terms, the value indicator simplyis indicative of a value of the process-dataset solution, or of thecomponents thereof. In other words the value indicator is a form of arelative ranking system for identifying those process-dataset solutionsthat, if selected, are likely to return information that is of value tothe requestor. The value indicator optionally is provided in the form ofa numeric scale, an alphabetic scale, a symbol-based scale (e.g. happyface/neutral face/smiley face, thumbs-up/thumbs-down, a star-rating,pie-chart etc.), or in any other form that can convey to the requestorthe value of one process-dataset solution relative to anotherprocess-dataset solution. Of course, since the requestor may be aprocess in execution on a system, the value indicator need not even beprovided in a human intelligible form. Furthermore, the value indicatormay simply be implied based on the ordering of the process-datasetsolutions in a list.

Optionally, the aggregation server 114 determines the value indicator.For instance, the aggregation server 114 includes a processing andcommunications module 116 that is in communication with a memory storagedevice 118. In this case, the broker system 100 either provides aprocess-dataset solution to the aggregation server, which then providesthe process-dataset solution and an associated value indicator to acurrent requestor, or the aggregation server 114 provides the valueindicator to the broker system 100, which then provides theprocess-dataset solution and associated value indicator to the currentrequestor.

The value indicator for a particular process-dataset solution isdetermined, for instance, based on user feedback data that is provided,for instance, by prior users of a geospatial information service that isperformed by processing the dataset of the particular process-datasetsolution using the process of the particular process-dataset solution.In particular, a requestor that provides feedback data is referred to asa respondent. Optionally, the respondent provides feedback data relatingto a process-dataset solution, or the respondent provides feedback datarelating to only one of a process and a dataset of a process-datasetsolution. Further optionally, the respondent provides feedback datadirectly to the aggregation server 114, or the respondent providesfeedback data to the aggregation server 114 via broker system 100.

As discussed supra, the process and the dataset of a process-datasetsolution need not both be associated with a same system. Accordingly,when a prior user receives geospatial information from the broker system100 resulting from the performance of a selected process-datasetsolution, the user provides feedback data that is indicative of thevalue of the geospatial information. Of course, this type of userfeedback data is subjective in nature and is also susceptible tomalicious misrepresentation. That being said, the instant inventionenvisages several different approaches for determining the valueindicator so as to reduce the impact of the stated limitations.

In one approach the value indicator is based on feedback data that iscollected from an entire population of prior users or respondents. Whenthe population is sufficiently large, the subjective nature of theranking system tends to be smoothed out, or statistical treatments maybe applied to the data in order to correct for this limitations.Optionally, the feedback data is collected at the broker system 100 orat the aggregation server 114. Optionally, the value indicator is eitherqualitative or quantitative.

In another approach the value indicator is based on feedback data thatis provided by less than an entire population of prior users orrespondents. For instance, a current requestor defines a group oftrusted prior users or respondents, and the value indicator is based onfeedback data that is provided from only the trusted prior users orrespondents. The requestor may optionally edit, expand, narrow orotherwise modify the group of trusted users or respondents over time.For instance, the requestor may become aware that one trusted user isconsistently providing high value ratings to geospatial information thatis actually of low value to the requestor. Alternatively, the requestormay wish to add trusted users or respondents to the group of trustedusers or respondents, such as for instance when friends or familymembers begin using the broker mediated geospatial information service.

In yet another approach, the broker system 100 or aggregation server 114determines a value indicator based on feedback data provided by priorusers that are statistically or demographically similar to therequestor. In this case, the broker system 100 or aggregation server 114must either maintain profile data for the requestor, or the requestormust provide profile data to the broker system 100 or aggregation server114. By way of a specific and non-limiting example, the requestorprovides profile data indicating that the requestor is a 35 year oldmale with frequent business travel by air, who enjoys seafood, swimming,live theater, museums with modern art displays, antique bookstores,Irish style pubs, and prefers accommodations that are within walkingdistance of at least two of the above-mentioned facilities. In thiscase, the broker system or aggregation server determines a valueindicator using feedback data that is provided by prior users withdemographic characteristics similar to those of the requestor. Therequestor is likely to find the value indicator to be highly reliable,since it is based on subjective feedback data that is provided by priorusers having tastes similar to those of the requestor.

In yet another approach, statistical usage data is used to determine avalue indicator. Here, for a large population use of differentprocess-dataset solutions is statistically determinative of a valueindicator. For example, reuse of a process-dataset solution is weightedfavorably such that a single use provides nominal value, many uses of asame process by a same party increases the measured value. Thus, aprocess that is reused by most users would have a much higher rankingthan one that is rarely used a second time. Of course, this would poorlyrepresent processes intended to be executed only once by any given user.That said, those processes would be ranked against each other and, assuch, though the value indicators would be lower than for repeat useprocesses, they would remain comparable within a same geospatialservice.

In still another approach, a third-party determines and assigns valueindicators. For instance, the third-party is the aggregation server 114in communication with the broker system 100. The third-party retrievablystores feedback data that is provided from a plurality of respondents,such that the feedback data provided by a specific respondent isassociated uniquely therewith. Optionally, the feedback data relates to,in combination, a process and a dataset of a process-dataset solution,or the feedback data relates to only one of the process and the datasetof a process-dataset solution. Upon receiving a request from a currentuser that includes a particular process-dataset solution, thethird-party determines a value indicator for the particularprocess-dataset solution based on the stored feedback data. In thisapproach, the value indicator optionally is based on the feedback dataof an entire population of respondents, or is based on the feedback dataof less than an entire population of respondents.

Optionally, value indicators are determined according to several of theabove-mentioned approaches for being provided to the requestor inassociation with each process-dataset solution. The requestor basestheir selection of a process-dataset solution on one or more of thevalue indicators as provided.

According to an embodiment of the instant invention, the valueindicators associated with different process-dataset solutions, or thevalue indicators associated with components of different process-datasetsolutions, are retrievably stored in storage device 104 of the brokersystem 100. The stored value indicators are optionally updatedcontinuously, at predetermined intervals of time, or according to someother schedule. For instance, the requestor provides a request to thebroker system 100 including search criteria for returning geospatialinformation to the requestor. The broker system 100 determines aplurality of process-dataset solutions, each process-dataset solutioncomprising a process and a dataset to be processed thereby so as toperform a geospatial information service for returning geospatialinformation to the requestor in accordance with the search criteria. Thebroker system 100 provides to the requestor a list including theplurality of process-dataset solutions and including a value indicatorassociated with each process-dataset solution. The requestor selects oneof the process-dataset solutions based on the value indicator, and thegeospatial information service is performed resulting in geospatialinformation being returned to the requestor in accordance with thesearch criteria. In particular, the selected process-dataset solution isprovided to a geospatial information service provider, which providesfor the implementation of the selected process-dataset solution and thenprovides a result of the process-dataset solution to the requestor. Inthe specific system that is shown in FIG. 1, the geospatial informationservice provider is included in the broker system 100. Optionally, thegeospatial information service provider is a separate system that is incommunication with the broker system and/or the requestor.

Optionally, the requestor provides user feedback data to the brokersystem 100, the user feedback data relating to the requestor's assessedvalue of the geospatial information. The broker system updates the valueindicator associated with the selected process-dataset solutionaccording to the updating rules that are in place, and then stores theupdated value indicator in association with the selected process-datasetsolution.

Advantageously, the value indicators are useful billing instruments. Inparticular, a billing system optionally is established in which theamount that is billed to a requestor for performing a geospatialinformation service is related to the value indicator associated withthe corresponding process-dataset solution. Higher value indicators areindicative of better geospatial information, which enables betterdecision-making. Accordingly, the requestor likely is willing to pay apremium amount for the performance of such a geospatial informationservice. Optionally, the billing system includes incentives that aredesigned to encourage a requestor to provide user feedback data forupdating value indicators. In particular, the amount that is billed to arequestor for performing a geospatial information service is discountedif the requestor provides user feedback data, or the requestor is issueda coupon. Furthermore, other parties associated with performance of thegeospatial information service may also be billed or receive credits inaccordance with a predetermined scheme. For instance, any combination ofadvertising providers, process providers, dataset providers, users,geospatial service providers, broker systems or other participants mayreceive credits or be billed in relation to performance of a geospatialinformation service. Other participants include for instance providersof processing resources, upon which resources the process-datasetsolutions are implemented.

Referring now to FIG. 2, shown is a simplified flow diagram of a methodaccording to an embodiment of the instant invention for providing ageospatial information service in a broker-mediated geospatialinformation service environment. At 200 a broker system receives arequest from a requestor, the request including search criteria forreturning geospatial information to the requestor. At 202 the brokersystem determines a plurality of process-dataset solutions. Inparticular, each of the determined process-dataset solutions comprises aprocess and a dataset to be processed thereby so as to perform ageospatial information service for returning geospatial information tothe requestor in accordance with the search criteria. At 204 the brokersystem provides to the requester a list comprising the plurality ofprocess-dataset solutions and a value indicator associated with each ofthe provided process-dataset solutions.

The requestor then selects one process-dataset solution of the providedprocess-dataset solutions based on the value indication that isassociated therewith, and provides a selection-response to the brokersystem. Upon receiving the selection-response at the broker system, ageospatial information service defined by the selected process-datasetsolution is performed, and resulting geospatial information is providedto the requestor. The requestor is billed an amount for performance ofthe geospatial information service. As discussed supra the amount billedoptionally is based on the value indication of the selectedprocess-dataset solution.

Alternatively, someone other than the requestor is billed, for example aservice provider whose services are highlighted to the requestor.Optionally, both the requestor and the service provider are billed.Further optionally, the requestor is paid for the request.

Referring now to FIG. 3, shown is a simplified flow diagram of a methodaccording to an embodiment of the instant invention for providing ageospatial information service in a broker-mediated geospatialinformation service environment. At 300 a broker system receives arequest from a requestor, the request including search criteria forreturning geospatial information to the requestor. At 302 the brokersystem determines a plurality of process-dataset solutions, eachprocess-dataset solution comprising a process and a dataset to beprocessed thereby so as to perform a geospatial information service forreturning geospatial information to the requestor in accordance with thesearch criteria. At 304 the broker system obtains a value indicator forbeing provided to the requestor in association with an identification ofeach one of the plurality of process-dataset solutions. At 306,information is provided from the broker system to the requestor foridentifying each process-dataset solution of the determined plurality ofprocess-data set solutions, and for providing the value indicatorassociated with each process-dataset solution of the plurality ofprocess-dataset solutions.

Referring now to FIG. 4, shown is a simplified flow diagram of a methodaccording to an embodiment of the instant invention for providing ageospatial information service in a broker-mediated geospatialinformation service environment. At 400 a request is provided from arequestor to a geospatial information service broker, the requestincluding search criteria for returning geospatial information to therequestor. At 402 a list is received from the geospatial informationservice broker, the list comprising a plurality of process-datasetsolutions and a value indicator associated with each of the providedprocess-dataset solutions. In particular, each process-dataset solutioncomprises a process and a dataset to be processed thereby so as toperform a geospatial information service for returning geospatialinformation to the requestor in accordance with the search criteria. At404 a selection-response is provided from the requestor to thegeospatial information service broker, the selection-response beingindicative of a selection by the requestor of one process-datasetsolution of the provided process-dataset solutions.

Referring now to FIG. 5, shown is a simplified flow diagram of a methodaccording to an embodiment of the instant invention for providing ageospatial information service in a broker-mediated geospatialinformation service environment. At 500 a list is provided from a brokersystem to a requestor, the list comprising a plurality ofprocess-dataset solutions, each process-dataset solution comprising aprocess and a dataset to be processed thereby so as to perform ageospatial information service for returning geospatial information tothe requestor in accordance with search criteria provided by therequestor. At 502 a current value indicator is provided from the brokersystem to the requestor and in association with each process-datasetsolution. At 504 the broker system receives from the requestor userfeedback data relating to an assessed value of a selectedprocess-dataset solution, based on geospatial information actuallyreturned to the requestor in accordance with the provided searchcriteria. At 506 the broker system updates the current value indicatorassociated with the selected process-dataset solution, based on the userfeedback data, so as to obtain a new current value indicator associatedwith the selected process-dataset solution.

In the above noted examples, the term process-dataset solution is usedto indicate a solution comprising at least a process and at least adataset. In some instances, a list of possible processes and a list ofpossible datasets are provided independently and a requestor selectsfrom the list compatible processes and datasets. In such a case,processes and datasets have separate value indicators associatedtherewith. Alternatively, processes and datasets of dynamic valueindicators such that selection of one of a process and a dataset resultsin an updating of value indicators for remaining options such that theupdated value indicators correspond with a value of the selection whenused with the already selected at least one of a process and dataset. Insuch a fashion, a user selects processes or datasets to use and is thenpresented with value data relating to compatibility in terms of aquality of a service when different components are selected. Thisovercomes the problem associated with technically compatible processesand datasets that when used together result in inferior services, whichcan happen even for well regarded processes and datasets.

Of course, the system of FIG. 1 is intended to be a non-limiting exampleof one specific system that is suitable for performing the methodsaccording to the various embodiments of the instant invention. In thesystem of FIG. 1, the broker system, the aggregation server andprocess/dataset providers are shown as separate processing systems.Optionally, at least some of the various processing systems arecombined. For instance, the broker system optionally includes theaggregation server and one or both of the process and dataset providers.Other suitable system configurations will be apparent to one of skill inthe art.

Numerous other embodiments may be envisaged without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for determining a value indicator in abroker-mediated geospatial information service environment, comprising:for each of a plurality of process-dataset solutions, evaluating usagedata for determining instances of repeat usage of a same process-datasetsolution by a same requestor of a plurality of requestors; ordering theprocess-dataset solutions of the plurality of process-dataset solutionsaccording to one of a frequency of instances of repeat usage and arelative frequency of instances of repeat usage; and, determining avalue indicator for a particular process-dataset solution of theplurality of process-dataset solutions based on the ordered position ofthe particular process-dataset solution.
 2. A method according to claim1 comprising; providing to a current requestor, the assigned valueindicator in association with the particular process-dataset solution.3. A method according to claim 2 wherein, the value indicator is aqualitative measure of the value of the particular process-datasetsolution.
 4. A method according to claim 2 wherein, the value indicatoris a quantitative measure of the value of the particular process-datasetsolution.
 5. A method according to claim 2 wherein, the value indicatoris a measure of the value of the particular process-dataset solutionrelative to the value of other process-dataset solutions.
 6. A methodaccording to claim 2 wherein, the value indicator is an absolute measureof the value of the particular process-dataset solution.
 7. A methodaccording to claim 2 wherein, the plurality of requestors consists of aset of trusted requestors as defined by the current requestor.
 8. Amethod according to claim 2 wherein, the plurality of requestorsconsists of a set of requestors having demographic characteristicssimilar to those of the current requestor.
 9. A method according toclaim 1 wherein, the value indicator relates to, in combination, aprocess and a dataset of the particular process-dataset solution.
 10. Amethod according to claim 1 wherein, the value indicator relates to oneof a process and a dataset of the particular process-dataset solution.11. A method for determining a value indicator in a broker-mediatedgeospatial information service environment, comprising: evaluating usagedata relating to a plurality of process-dataset solutions, to determinea frequency of repeat usage for each of the plurality of process-datasetsolutions; and, determining a value indicator for a particularprocess-dataset solution of the plurality of process-dataset solutionsbased on the determined frequency of repeat usage for the particularprocess-dataset solution relative to the determined frequencies ofrepeat usage for other process dataset solutions of the plurality ofprocess dataset solutions.
 12. A method according to claim 11 wherein,the frequency of repeat usage relates to a fraction of the total usageof a process-dataset solution that is attributable to other thanone-time users of the process-dataset solution.
 13. A method fordetermining a value indicator in a broker-mediated geospatialinformation service environment, comprising: evaluating usage datarelating to a plurality of process-dataset solutions, to determine afrequency of repeat usage for each of the plurality of process-datasetsolutions; and, determining a value indicator for a particularprocess-dataset solution of the plurality of process-dataset solutionsbased on the determined frequency of repeat usage for the particularprocess-dataset solution relative to the determined frequency of uniqueusage for the particular process dataset solution.
 14. A methodaccording to claim 13 wherein, the frequency of repeat usage relates toa fraction of the total usage of a process-dataset solution that isattributable to other than one-time users of the process-datasetsolution.
 15. A method for determining a value indicator in abroker-mediated geospatial information service environment, comprising:receiving at a first system of the broker-mediated geospatialinformation service environment, from a plurality of respondents,feedback data relating to a broker-mediated geospatial informationservice provided to each respondent of the plurality of respondents;and, based on the feedback data, determining a value indicator relatingto one of a process and a dataset that is associated with thebroker-mediated geospatial information service.
 16. A method accordingto claim 15 wherein, the value indicator relates to a process, theprocess for processing at least a dataset during performance of thebroker-mediated geospatial information service.
 17. A method accordingto claim 16 wherein, the value indicator comprises a plurality ofdifferent value indicators, each different value indicator beingindicative of a value of the process in association with a differentdataset of the at least a dataset.
 18. A method according to claim 15wherein, the value indicator relates to a dataset, the dataset for beingprocessed by at least a process during performance of thebroker-mediated geospatial information service.
 19. A method accordingto claim 18 wherein, the value indicator comprises a plurality ofdifferent value indicators, each different value indicator beingindicative of a value of the dataset in association with a differentprocess of the at least a process.